Today’s post is more question than answer, but it’s something that’s been on my mind a lot this past week. I have sometimes been jokingly told in my life that I’m too content, complacent, even. This is usually related to sensory things like food and clothing, as I’m more of an ideas/imaginative thinker and don’t prioritize concrete, sensory things very much. It’s rare that I don’t appreciate a meal, for instance, so long as it hasn’t gone bad. It’s sustenance and I’m grateful for that. I’ve been grappling lately with when we should want to grow and change and when to practice gratitude and contentment.
Some choices are clear with this. I think that situations that involve harm to others or any kind of immorality require growth and change. In contrast, I think that, when it comes to living an overly-consumerist lifestyle and in situations where we are always looking outward for the “next fix”, we might do well to practice more contentment and be more grateful for what we already have.
So I guess my question is, if you could pick one way to live your life, would it be a life of growth and change, or a life of contentment and gratitude? Why? Or, do you have a way that combines both growth and contentment?
The Enchanted Outlook 
August 15, 2017 at 11:31 am
I think when you are looking at strengths and growth you can interlink the concept of contentment to gratitude. As such virtues such as gratitude and contentment postulate higher levels of morality. As for growth mindset it is a evolutionary technique and contentment can only be achieved by achieving your basic human needs as stated in Maslows hierarchy of needs. Furthermore the need for practising and identifying your strengths is a imperative requirement for growth mindset and life contentment. Please do check out my article on Where do we go with our strengths?. Thank you in advance.
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September 17, 2017 at 11:09 am
So sorry; I missed your comment in my feed! I’m normally much more prompt at responding. I had not thought of the link between growth mindset and maslow’s heirarchy; that is a brilliant point. Would you say that we also need to be able to meet some basic needs to feel content as well? Thanks for stopping by, and I will certainly check out that post.
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August 15, 2017 at 6:58 pm
You have asked a challenging question which I have actually been pondering throughout the day. I think that I live a life of growth, challenge and gratitude and contentment both. But the growth and challenges are not consumer directed. I am challenging myself intellectually lately by studying history I never learned many years ago to help me connect with many worldwide bloggers. So I have learned about the continent of Africa and the Middle East conflicts.I am constantly growing spiritually and am currently participating in a on-line book group through Boston College. But after a early life of devastating trauma, I am grateful for every day I’m alive. And I am very content with my house, my town, my church, my clothing(I hate shopping)and my family.
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August 16, 2017 at 1:11 am
Most definitely both. These do go hand in hand, for example, I write constantly and my view on the world is ever changing. I am growing by taking care of myself and my surrounding environment, but at the same time, I am very content with my job and grateful for where I live in the world. I agree with Elizabeth in regards to that growth and change are not consumer directed.
You decide what change and growth are for you, do not concern yourself with others viewpoints on what it should be.
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September 9, 2017 at 11:31 pm
A very good point- thank you. I just today heard the Dalai Lama say something along the lines of “Contentment is not emptiness or the absence of compassion.” Something I will certainly be exploring in more depth in the future.
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August 31, 2017 at 12:30 am
Personal Growth is important and comes from introspection this acceptance of what one determines is in need of change creates contentment. Yet, as with everything, these states are transitory.
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September 9, 2017 at 11:25 pm
Very true; all things must pass.
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September 10, 2017 at 8:22 am
And..thank G-d for that!
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